Yoga Anatomy Articles
Arm balance postures ask us to balance our weight on our hands or arms. They can challenge our ideas of what is possible.
The yoga anatomy articles are organized into categories such as, Injuries, Postures, Your Questions, Yoga, Anatomy, Yoga Anatomy Research Project, and even Yoga Adjustments.
They are also broken down more specifically by muscles, bandhas, breathing, sit bone pain, shoulders, psoas, and knee pain.
What Do I Need To Strengthen To Maintain Handstand?
David explains why serratus anterior is often the key muscle that you need to strengthen in order to maintain a…
What Causes Low Back Pain?
David describes the many complex sources of low back pain and offers direction for working with low back pain in…
How Does Yoga Reduce Stress?
David summarizes a review paper that shares several models for how embodiment through yoga postures could reduce perception of stress…
When To Heal The Body With Yoga And When To Get Outside Help
When is healing with yoga not enough? If a body issue is not improving and you’ve come to the end…
How Do You Protect The Knees In Warrior One?
David shares how to modify the hip and foot placement to protect the knees in warrior one and he explains…
Sciatica, Piriformis Syndrome, And Yoga
David explains the difference between sciatica, piriformis syndrome, and other sources of sciatica-like pain. He explains when yoga can be…
Does Headstand Increase Blood Flow To Your Brain?
David summarizes recent research that indicates doing headstand does not increase the blood flow to the brain for otherwise healthy…
Practicing Yoga After Meniscus Surgery
David shares his own experience with a meniscus tear to help answer the question: how do you practice yoga after…
How Should You Move The Hips Or The Neck During Twisting Poses?
David explains when you might not want to move the hips or neck with the spine when doing twisting poses…
Do Cooling Pranayama Techniques Actually Cool The Body?
David summarizes recent research which evaluates the effects of two pranayama techniques. Researchers found the pranayama techniques did not cool…
Should You Practice Yoga During Your Menstrual Cycle?
In this guest post, a long-time student of David’s gives suggestions of things to consider when practicing yoga during your…
What Is Jalandhara Bandha?
David describes anatomically what happens when we are in jalandhara bandha position and he explains how jalandhara bandha can help…
How Do I Modify Triang Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana After Meniscus Surgery?
David offers suggestions for how to modify triang mukhaikapada paschimottanasana after meniscus surgery in the knee. Explore options for gentle…
Muscle Activation During Yoga Poses: Are There Sex Differences?
David summarizes research that measured muscle activation in yoga postures. There were differences in muscle use among postures and between…
The Anatomy Of The Lift Up And Jump Back Transition
David explains, anatomically, which muscles are key for initiating the challenging lift up and jump back transition in vinyasa styles…
Should You Land In Chaturanga Or Plank?
David explains why developing strength in serratus anterior and shoulder girdle stability is important whether you land in chaturanga or…
When To Use Belly Breathing Versus Breathing With Bandhas
David explains that belly breathing and breathing with bandhas create two different qualities. He shares why breathing with bandhas is…
Adjusting Downward Dog
David explains how to work with several different intentions in both the lower body and the upper body when adjusting…
Is Lotus Pose Anatomically Possible?
David explains the kinds of range of motion necessary to do full lotus pose. He shares that, while often challenging,…
What Are We Stretching In Yoga?
David answers a question about the possible mechanisms for what happens when we stretch in yoga with the intention to…
Why Can’t I Keep My Legs Straight In Navasana?
David explains why the relationship between strength and flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings is key to keeping the legs…